Football Manager Diary S2 – Wake me up when September ends.

Its been a difficult start, we’re currently 12th in the league with 2 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws.

In the summer transfer window, after a successful season winning the Skrill Premier league we signed 17 players. Maybe thats causing some disharmony?

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Heres how the squad currently looks

As you can see theres a few players who arent of 1st team quality right now. Also Guillaume has clearly gone downhill since last year.

2-9-2014 Bristol Rovers vs Coventry – Johnstones Trophy 2nd round

Dunn and Lawrence make their debuts. Coventry are in League 1, and are heavy favourites. We’re a 4-1 shot.

Its all us early on and Derbyshire looks to be enjoying playing with Dunn as he gets a few early chances, but shoots wide. We take the lead on 11 minutes, Lawrence capping his debut with a screaming free kick. Coventry equalise after a long ball evades our defence and Barton shoots in from outside the box.

Into the second half and I bring on Guillaume and Brunt to try and change things. Derbyshire has a great chance but its saved. Dunn is knackered, so I withdraw him for Sinnott. The game dies out and its a penalty shoot out

Sinnott for Bristol Rovers… SCORES 1-0
Pavey for Coventry…. ARNOLD SAVES! 1-0
Lawrence for Bristol Rovers…. SCORES! 2-0
Daniels for Coventry… SCORES 2-1
Derbyshire for Bristol Rovers…. SCORES 3-1
Baker for Coventry…. SCORES 3-2
Fofana for Bristol Rovers…. SCORES 4-2
Barton for Coventry has to score to keep them in it…. AND DOES 4-3
Brunt steps up and can win the match…. AND HE DOES 5-3 ON PENS!

Bristol Rovers 1-1 Coventry
Lawrence (12) – Barton (34)

Dominant performance over a team in the league above us – 13 shots to their 6

Fofana picked up an injury and will be out for 6 weeks

Lee Brown has also picked up an injury and is out for 3 months.

6-9-14 – Bristol Rovers (12th) vs Luton (13th)

Lawrence is on international duty and Dunn is tired so Gonzalez is playing in the AM role.

Luton take the lead, Ruddock scoring from a 10th minute corner. Sinnott hits the post 5 minutes later from the edge of the box. 2 minutes later Brunt plays in Derbyshire and he finally gets off the mark, smashing past the keeper! Luton grab the lead again, a through ball cutting our defence in half and Gray hits across the keeper.

At half time I question the boys passion.

20 minutes in and theres been little change so I throw ion Guillaume. He plays in Derbyshire who shoots wide, then Atkinson shoots wide when 1v1. Derbyshire hits the post as its all us. With 15 minutes left a long throw into the box is smashed in by Jackson to equalise.

A dead first half, but on 41 minutes Lawrence plays through Chantler and he crosses for Brunt to score. Thats the only highlight of the half!

And of the second half. What a shit match. As I go to do the team talk I press the wrong button and accidently criticise the team – but they all get motivated by it

Note to self, dont be so nice.

Exeter 0-1 Bristol Rovers
Brunt (41)League position – 8th

Bit of bad news before our next game

Fuck. We have 2 young guys to choose from for the next match

20-9-14 – Bristol Rovers (8th) vs Morecambe (24th)

Possibly the best match for having to play our sub keeper O’Brien, we’re up against the bottom club. Dunn gets a start, with Lawrence on the bench

Its Dunn who gets the early goal, smashing in from the edge of the box in the 7th minute. Our lead is doubled by Sinnott with this strike

Lovely!

Derbyshire goes through and shoots wide. He’s not been the signing I expected.

Into the second half and Morecambe have a few early chances but O’Brien in goal does well. Leghait comes on for Derbyshire, and has a chance but shoots at the keeper. Guillaume comes on and he has a good chance tipped over.

27-9-14 – Bristol Rovers (5th) vs Oxford (4th)

Making a bold decision to drop Derbyshire and give Fletcher a start. Dake Kitson is playing in the hole for them and is the real danger man.

Oxford get the first chance, with Bunn shooting wide. Thats the only highlight till just before half time – Oxford win a corner and Kitson heads wide.

Despite the lack of higlights, weve had some things happen this half.

The team talk is going to be key. I get aggressive.

It takes 6 minute into the second half for our 1st highlight.

EAT IT REID EAT IT DOWN

I throw Derbyshire and Mozika on. The game has slowed dramatically. Gonzalez comes on and he wins a corner with 10 minutes to go, but Guthrie heads wide. I go all out defensive, happy to take the win…. and we do!

Im delighted and I tell the players so

Bristol Rovers 1-0 Oxford
Brunt (51)League Position – 2nd

What a way to end the result

Brunt takes young player of the month

We also get 3rd in Manager of the Month.

While waiting for the board report I decide to look at the fans thoughts

lol

Board report is in

Looks like Derbyshire is on his way out before he’s even begun. Thank fuck I only got him on a 1 year deal.